With the constant churn of technology, it’s rational to want a new phone every year, so you don’t miss out on the latest features with each new model. But if you upgrade to a new phone every year, what do you do with the old one?
If you bought your phone outright or have paid it off, you don’t want to use it as a paperweight. It’s better to trade it in and get paid.
So if you are thinking of switching to a new model and want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck, we’ll show you how. If you’re going to switch to an iPhone, here’s a list of Androids you can trade into Apple. Read on to find out how to get the most when trading your Android.
Apple’s decrease in Andoid value
If you want to switch to an iPhone, you may want to reconsider before you head to Apple’s trade-in page. Recently, Apple drastically cut the amount of money it offers for Android phones, so you might not be getting the best value.
Some of Apple’s trade-in values have been cut as much as $100. Here are recent examples of trade-in value changes:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G — previously $325, now $260
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G — previously $435, now $325
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — previously $545, now $405
- Google Pixel 5 — previously $315, now $235
- Google Pixel 4 XL — previously $180, now $135
These cuts mean that even if you plan to switch to an Apple device, you might be better off using a third-party service to get the most money for your old Android device.
Check your phone carrier
Most phone carriers offer a trade-in program when you purchase a new phone. These can be used as a credit for a new device or purchase other accessories.
T-Mobile, for example, has a great trade-in program, and all you have to do is bring your phone to one of its locations nationwide. You don’t have to be a current customer to use the service either, as new customers are welcome to bring a trade-in.
To learn more about T-Mobiles trade-in options, head here.
Choose a third party site
If you don’t want to use your phone carrier or Apple, you still have options. There are many third-party sites out there that will pay you to send in your phone.
Two of the most reputable sites are Decluttr and Swappa. Both offer you the option to sell your phones for cash, and as a bonus, the sites aren’t just limited to phones.
You can sell all your tech, including watches, computers and gaming systems. A notable difference when using a third-party site is that you get paid in cold hard cash, not trade-in credits or gift cards.
Decluttr
Decluttr is great because you get an instant quote for your item. If you decide to accept, print a prepaid label, send your item in, and get paid as soon as it arrives. It’s simple, secure and it offers fair prices:
- Google Pixel 4 XL — $182
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — $511
Learn more about Decluttr and its services here.
Swappa
With Swappa, you are listing your phone for sale instead of trading it in or selling it directly to a company. This means you may have to wait a minute before getting paid. After listing your phone, wait for an interested party to purchase it. Once they do, you’ll be paid instantly via PayPal, and then you’ll ship your device to the buyer.
Because Swappa is more like an auction site, prices vary from seller to seller and buyer to buyer. Swappa does list its average purchase price for each item, however:
- Google Pixel 4 XL — $248
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G — $801
Learn more about Swappa here.
